Random Musings

Just a place to chat about things. Mostly music based. I like stuff, lets share.

Monday, December 31, 2007

my favorite shows of 2007

The year end show review.

Fifteen shows this year, not too bad...well I had 18 last year...but was sick for three shows this year and actually had the sense about me to NOT go. Of the three the one that pains me the most to have missed is Sonny Rollins

Lets dive in to the top 10 shows of the year.

Oh I need to mention Laurie Berknerand Hannah Montana (review) shows since my kids had such a good time at those shows and its just fun to see them dance, sing, clap etc..call me a sap I can take it.

10 - The Police - TD Bank North Garden, Boston MA November 11, 2007 - A little up there ticket price wise I'll admit but I just *had* to see them. They played just about everything I wanted to hear considering I had never seen them live. Am I in a rush to see them again, no..but..I'd see them again if someone offered a ticket. My review here

9. TV on the Radio - Lupos Heartbreak Hotel, March 1, 2007 - Opening the tour, and touring for the great "Return to Cookie Mountain" the band was musically perfect, a muddled vocal mic all night seemed to kind of damper the night some, but the music was so good. My review here

8 Sea and the Cake - Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA September 30, 2007 - A perfect night in a very small room with respectful fans. The band did what they could to hit as many albums as possible. My review here

7. Superdrag - The Paradise, Boston November 3, 2007 - One of the few shows in years I actually did NOT tape and I kick myself almost every day for not doing so. The original line up tore thru 2+ hours of material that left everyone wondering how in the hell this band was never MASSIVE? My review here

6. Explosions in the Sky - The Middle East, Cambridge MA March 21, 2007 - The crowd was pretty much obnoxious the whole night causing a few people to head to the doors early. EITS always plays sets as if they were their last, and if rumors are true they won't be back in Boston for a few years, as the band plans to take a much needed break. My review here

5. Queens of the Stone Age - Lupos Heartbreak Hotel October 9, 2007. The band kicked off this leg of the tour in Providence and the album to that point had done little to really sway me. I left with my faith restored and the album got many more spins once more. My review here

4. Tom Morello (aka the Nightwatchman) TT The Bears Place June 27, 2007 - When I first heard the solo record I was less than impressed. The mighty Morello honed his chops in Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. A night of acoustic folk songs? You must be joking! Morello put it all to rest from the get go, just him and the acoustic slayed a hot and packed TT The Bears leaving me wondering what I didn't get the first time I listened to the cd. My review here

3. Battles - The Paradise, Boston November 12, 2007 - I had missed the band earlier in the year due to illness, but was glad they announced another show and I snagged a ticket. Arrived at the venue about 10 minutes before they performed and was treated to one of the most technically interesting shows I had been to in ages. My reviewhere

2. Tortoise - Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA July 5, 2007 - Tortoise has been on my list of bands I had to see since I first heard "TNT". There were not a ton of chances for me to see them, but the time came and the band played the 300 or so capacity auditorium at the museum of fine arts. (They did 2 actually). Sitting about 10 rows back in a stunned silent room they lived up to every expectation and exceeded most. The only bummer, the 61 minute set. My reviewhere

1. Wilco - Fleet Boston Pavilion June 28, 2007 - Some how Wilco and I never were getting on the same page. There were "whatever" reasons for me missing them each time they came around. The night finally came and due to a series of "open tapers" I actually went to a show and just watched, drank a beer and hung out. The band was tight and played pretty much everything I wanted to hear. The wait was worth it and I hope I won't slag off as much as I had in the past. My reviewhere

2008 is shaping up already! A few shows I am interested in have already been announced.

In (hopefully) a week or so I'll be posting my favorite cds of the year. This year I plan to have some mp3's posted as well as a contest. Prize(s) have yet to be determined..but something to pay you back for reading my horribly written posts in 2007.

Friday, December 28, 2007

I am here to help..really.

How about finding a new band, singer or artist in 2008. As the year comes to a close I'd like to share with you someone I just heard about that I think the bulk of you readers will like.

Her names is Sharon Jones, and her band is called the Dap Kings.

I read about the new cd right here and was really interested right away. I headed over to her myspace page and began to click on song after song, loving each more than the last. That weekend I grabbed 100 Days, 100 Nights and the cd has hardly left the player since. It is just awesome. There are a fair number of Amy Winehouse fans these days and the Dap Kings played on her latest cd, so the "sound" is all there if you dig it.

A day or two after I found out about her, I saw she was playing a show in Boston, and it was sold out. I checked the local Craigslist and found a lot of like minded folks were without tickets..a lot of begging went on. I didn't get to the show, but she is on my radar to see live. I keep checking her myspace page and the official page for tour dates.

If you hit her myspace page for some tunes be sure to check out100 Days, 100 Nights (that is the lead single) and "I'm Not Gonna Cry" and "How Long do I have". If you get busted shakin' your rump by a co-worker, spouse, life partner etc crank the speakers up and get your groove on.

Here is just a sample of what Sharon is like live.

This gets the March to the Sea seal of approval..and I think you'll dig as well.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Hannah Montana w/the Jonas Brothers, Providence Dec 20, 2007

The day finally arrived, it had been snowing sort of off and on all day, but that was not going to stop us. We were going to rock. My 8.5 year old daughter and I hopped in the car and were on our way.

Traffic was a mess, but we made it inside the venue just about 10 before 7. Tickets said 7pm start and this is a Disney production so I expected a tight ship. Behind a large curtain techs were tuning guitars and with each note strummed the masses would only scream louder.

**SHOW SPOILERS DON'T READ IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED**7:10 the lights go down and we are off to the races. Radio Disney, Disney Channel and whatever darlings of the media the Jonas Brothers hit the stage. Actually they came down from the rafters via a platform, but you get it. The curtain falls, flash pots go off, glow sticks wave in the sold out arena. These girls (and young boys) in the audience are frantic, screaming their heads off. The Jonas Brothers are pretty much pure bubble gum pop music. Two of the brothers play guitar and did every rock move from windmills, to sliding on their knees. Old to us "veterans" but new to the young ins and each move got more and more cheers.

The Jonas Brothers were quick and to the point. Total set was about 30 minutes.

The lights go up and Little March wants to look at the merch. She asks for only a shirt and glowstick. Okay I'll bite it could be worse.

We hurry back to our seats and just about the strike of 8pm the lights go down and wham...lights swirl and it gets loud..I mean REALLY loud. I never go to shows without ear plugs, this was no exception but sweet lord..it was loud. This was a trend that would continue thru the night.

Hannah Montana has arrived. Flanked by a wide open stage and a series of dancers she is lowered from the ceiling in this cool light up box. "Rock Star" opens the set and the kids are up and going NUTS, i mean NUTS. Parents are singing along and everyone is having a blast.

The first part of the set is "Hannah Montana" material, I realize you are saying is there more? Well yes, she released a double cd earlier this year that is one part Hannah one part Miley. About mid set, which to this point has seen a boat load of flash pots explode, massive light shows and at least 2 costume changes from Hannah, the Jonas Brothers return to the stage. They do a song with Hannah and her band, and then do "The Year 3000" alone. The reason? So Hannah can go change and become Miley Cyrus (actually how does one become their real self?) Again, you get it.

The whole night is pretty much a lot of "How you doing Providence?" and "You can make more noise than that right?". It is harmless fun, but I am sure there are a LOT of sore throats and headaches today.

The theme to the Disney Channel show "Best of Both Worlds" closes out the set, there are flashpots, confetti bombs, streamers, you name it..we are getting it ALL. Miley/Hannah sinks below the stage via a lift. (There is a long section of stage that juts into the audience). The bulk of the crowd is up and moving towards the door, it was surprising. After about 2-3 minutes the same lift she just went down, re-appears with a microphone, and a stool. Miley returns, and dedicates the final song of the night to her grandfather. She remains at the tip for the bulk of the song, then with waves, off she goes. The band was hardly done with the final note(s) when "WHAM" the lights come on. Guess its time to go.

This is the set list

Hannah Montana:Rock StarLife's What You Make ItJust Like YouOld Blue JeansNobody's PerfectPumpin' Up The PartyI'v Got NerveWe Got The Party (With Us)Look Me In The Eyes *Year 3000 *

Set IIMiley Cyrus:Start All OverWe CanSee You AgainLet's DanceI'm Right HereEast Northumberland HighG.N.G. (Girls Night Out)Best Of Both Worlds

Encore:I Miss You

*Jonas Brothers

All in all it was what one would expect from a Disney Production. A ton of flashing lights, giant screens(and screams) and a whole lot of fun. Can't say I'd rush out and do it again right away, but the look on Little Marches face (and her lack of a voice today due to screaming) make it all worth it.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Sometimes it really is the little things...

The other night I was doing some Christmas shopping. Picking up a few loose ends when I had a pretty cool, easy idea for Littlest March.

Over the last few weeks, Littlest March has wanted to play with keys. He wants to hang them off his pants and walk around. I am sure he gets it from the school janitors he sees daily.

So I figured, Hey, I'll get him his own clip and few "uncut" keys and put em in a box and he will be good to go. Figure a smart move since he likes both sets of Keys (Mrs and mine) and we'd be losing a car or house key before we knew it.

I enter the large home improvement store and make my way to the key counter. I find a perfect clip, then ask the salesperson about buying 5 or 6 uncut keys because I have a kid that likes keys.

The salesperson tells me that I still need to pay for the key if its cut or not.

me - How much are the keys?SalesPerson - $1.30me - Oh that is fine, I can do 5 or 6

The salesperson starts to look and grabs about 3 or 4 different styles when suddenly he stops..

SP - Wait a second..i have a better idea!

He reaches under the counter and pulls out a huge coffee can, FILLED with keys. It appears that the store will get credit for "bad keys" as long as there is a slip. If the slip is there that is all they need and the keys are then just tossed out. For the next five minutes the salesman tears off labels and piles about a dozen keys on the counter.

He smiles and says "Put them in your pocket..we'd only throw them out anyway".

He didn't need to do that, and he then even wished me a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" without a care of offending me and off I went.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Ohhh crap..here we go..

Brace yourself residents of Massachusetts..we are about to get SNOW! What SNOW? Oh dear freaking lord..

here are my rules to "survive" the 6 to 12 inches..

first

Panic...freak out..do whatever it takes to make sure everyone around you realize how much this "storm" is going to put you out.

NextDrive a complete and total asshole. I mean more than usual. For god sake why are there SO MANY PEOPLE On the Road going 21 MPH?! If you drive an SUV it doesn't mean it has 4 wheel drive..keep that in mind.

Call a loved one and make sure you have plenty of

You know..the "staples".

It's not even 10am and if I hear one more "We are LIVE" from the sand lots, or at the grocery store where some asshat has to tell me that the bread and milk are almost over..don't they realize I am going to panic???!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Cookie Contest...boooo yeahhh...*UPDATED*

Today we had a holiday cookie bake off/contest etc. You are currently reading the blog of a winner..that's right..a real bona fide winner.

There were three categories and I took two of them...

1. Winner of Best-Tasting: Mint Cookie Candies, by March to the Sea2. Winner of Best Presentation: Angel Wings, by (not me)3. Winner of Most Original: Santa Claus Cookies, by March to the Sea (by an overwhelming 50% vote!!)

Okay..here is at least the recipes. i never took pictures, someone at work did so I have been asking..I know you are all DYING for them..but here in their glory are my two WINNAHS!

In heavy sauce pan over low heat melt white chocolate stirring occasionally*.Dip one end of each cookie in to melted chocolate. Place on wire rack.For Santa's Hat, sprinkle red sugar on top part of chocolate. Press one vanilla (or white chip) off center on hat for pom pom, let stand until set.

Dip other end of each cookie in to melted chocolate for beard, leaving the center of the cookie uncovered. Place on wire rack. With a dab of melted chocolate, attach chocolate chips for eyes and the red hot nose. Place on wax paper until chocolate sets. Yield : 32 cookies.

* I actually used 3 bars worth of Ghirardelli White Chocolate Baking Bars. They were not quite 5oz. each so I melted about 1 bar and a half for the top and then the second bar and a half for the bottom. There was a fair amount left over.

I got tagged...

Well it is really not all that interesting. I think mostly because I had issues setting the blog up, I probably had 3-4 different names before I was able to file the entry. On the "umpteenth" try I was listening to a cd from the band Pelican. They had an ep out at the time simply called March to the Sea. The single itself would land on the studio album The Fire in our Throats Will beckon the thaw. It was just the song that was playing as I created the blog...

If you so desire there is a YouTube clip of the song right here. Its a full version at least..but you get the idea. A decent audio version of the song is pretty great.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Hey little alternative girl don't cha wanna be my friend?

This weeks Forgotten Disc Friday is now up. We are all over the map as this weeks is way off what last weeks was. Check out the downloads..especially the cover song. Lots of fun tracks, almost too hard to choose!

Strap on the headphones and download a track as you read...

Thanks as always for reading (or clicking over) and have a nice weekend.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Not sure how I feel about this....

Ahh the blessed time of year. Thank goodness we are past the portion (for the most part) of the little marches freaking out over the sight of Santa.

The other day Mrs. March sprung something on me via email that was a little sad...she said something along the lines of "I think Little March might know about Santa".

She is 8.5 years old. Can't I get another year? She hasn't asked, and I haven't approached the subject yet either because I don't want it to be over! Littlest March (5) is REALLY into Christmas this year. More than ever he gets what, and who is coming. He is very into "lights" and can't wait to get a tree up. It is fun to have that element. It takes a lot of the "ahh crap I need to get this done and that done" and just watch him beam up when he sees lights on bushes. It is over so quick...just gimme a few more years!

Also, Happy Hanukkah to those that celebrate it!

** Image (and tons on a site devoted to the subject are right here also not my kid

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Whoa..sorry I asked.

Q: How many women with MENOPAUSE does it take to change a light bulb?

Woman's Answer: One! ONLY ONE!!!! And do you know WHY? Because no one else in this house knows HOW to change a light bulb! They don't even know that the bulb is BURNED OUT!! They would sit in the dark for THREE DAYS before they figured it out. And, once they figured it out, they wouldn't be able to find the #&%!* light bulbs despite the fact that they've been in the SAME CABINET for the past 17 YEARS! But if they did, by some miracle of God, actually find them, 2 DAYS LATER, the chair they dragged to stand on to change the STUPID light bulb would STILL BE IN THE SAME SPOT!!!!! AND UNDERNEATH IT WOULD BE THE WRAPPER THE FREAKING LIGHT BULBS CAME IN!!! BECAUSE NO ONE EVER PICKS UP OR CARRIES OUT THE GARBAGE!!!! IT'S A WONDER WE HAVEN'T ALL SUFFOCATED FROM THE PILES OF GARBAGE THAT ARE A FOOT DEEP THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE!! IT WOULD TAKE AN ARMY TO CLEAN THIS PLACE! AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON WHO CHANGES THE TOILET PAPER ROLL !!